Arthroscopic meniscal repair systems and methods

ABSTRACT

An arthroscopic meniscal tear repair device includes a catch needle and a transfer needle. which are pierced into a torn meniscus and advanced past the tear. Suture is transferred by a suture needle from the transfer needle through the meniscus and into the catch needle. The catch needle has an internal mechanism that retains the suture. The suture needle is then retracted back to its home position inside the transfer needle, leaving the free end of the suture across the meniscus and in the catch needle. The device is then retracted out of the meniscus, leaving behind a stitch across the meniscal tear inside the meniscus . A pre-tied knot of suture is then slid down the device and cinched up using a knot pusher having a dilation tip, thus completing the repair.

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of the filingdate of Provisional U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/033,639, entitledArthroscopic Meniscal Repair System, filed on Mar. 4, 2008. This priorprovisional application is expressly incorporated herein by reference,in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to surgical repair of meniscal tears, andmore particularly to a unique arthroscopic handheld device and methodsfor repairing meniscal tears by passing suture within the meniscusthrough the tear.

There are two meniscuses in each knee, the medial meniscus, and thelateral meniscus, each of which comprises fibrocartilage. The meniscusesprotect the articular cartilage on the surfaces of the femur and thetibia. Historically, torn portions of a meniscus were simply surgicallyremoved. However, over time, it has become known in the field thatremoving substantial portions of the meniscus often accelerates theonset of osteoarthritis and other complications which develop when theshock absorbing meniscuses in the knee are absent. Most tears of themeniscus do not heal on their own, because of a very limited bloodsupply, but, using modern techniques, many tears can be surgicallyrepaired, thus avoiding the need to remove meniscal portions.

Current meniscal repair methods and devices include both open surgicaland arthroscopic techniques. Some repair approaches utilize suture only,others utilize anchors only, while still others are hybrid techniqueswhich employ both suture and anchor devices.

Traditional early prior art arthroscopic meniscal repair methods beganwith a complicated suture only, “inside outside” technique. Thesetechniques involved several access ports into the surgical site, andseveral instrument exchanges during the procedure, increasing surgicaltime and complexity. Because of this, the required surgical skill toeffectively execute these arthroscopic procedures was quite high. Abenefit to the early conventional methods were that only suture was leftbehind, thus eliminating the risk of loose bodies in the knee space aswell as abrasion to the articular cartilage from hard plastic or metalimplants.

A later surgical technique that was developed involved a plastic implantwith no suture. The implant had a dart shape to it with barbs that, wheninserted into the meniscus, would resist backing out. A benefit to thistype of technology was that it didn't require numerous ports orinstrument exchanges. This was a much easier method than the suture-onlymethod discussed above. The downside was that it left a plastic head inthe articular space which caused abrasion to the femoral condylearticular cartilage.

A still later conventional meniscal repair technique that has beendeveloped is a hybrid involving both an implant and suture. The benefitto this hybrid approach is that the practitioner gained the ease of theimplant technique, as discussed above, but there was no exposed plasticimplant in the articular space. The downside risk that still exists withthis approach is that of a hard plastic loose body remaining at theprocedural site. Should some sort of failure occur, the hard plasticimplant may come loose and cause damage in the articular space.

What is needed, therefore, is an arthroscopic meniscal repair system andtechnique which combines the ease of the prior art implant procedures,while eliminating the risk that comes with a hard plastic implant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention described here are novel methods and devices forarthroscopic meniscal repair that will improve the clinical outcome ofmeniscal repair procedures and are suitable for general adoption bypractitioners. The invention described herein is an all suture approachwith the ease of a single working portal, pre-tied knot, single handeddevice that includes a pre-tied knot.

More particularly, there is provided a device for repairing a tear in aportion of tissue, which comprises a proximal actuator portion, atransfer needle extending distally from the proximal actuator portionand having a distal tip for piercing tissue, and a catch needleextending distally from the proximal actuator portion and having adistal tip for piercing tissue. A suture needle is disposed in thetransfer needle, and is extendable from the transfer needle toward thecatch needle and retractable from the catch needle toward the transferneedle, upon actuation by the proximal actuator portion. A hook isprovided on the suture needle for retaining a length of suture.Advantageously, a retainer in the catch needle is provided for retainingsuture in the catch needle when the suture needle is withdrawn from thecatch needle back toward the transfer needle.

Preferably, the proximal actuator portion comprises a handle having asuture needle advancement lever disposed thereon, wherein the sutureneedle is advanced or retracted upon actuation or release of the lever.The transfer needle comprises a window disposed laterally thereon,through which the suture needle is extended or retracted. The catchneedle also comprises a window disposed laterally thereon, through whichthe suture needle is extended or retracted. to enter or leave the catchneedle. A second window is disposed on the catch needle on a sideopposed to the side on which the first window is disposed, through whicha distal end of the suture needle extends when the suture needle isfully extended into the catch needle.

Preferably, the hook on the suture needle is configured so that when thesuture needle is retracted in a direction from the catch needle backinto the transfer needle, the suture retained thereon is released. Thisconfiguration, in the illustrated embodiment, is that of an open slot.

The suture retainer in the catch needle more particularly comprises aplunger, disposed in the catch needle, wherein the plunger is extendablein a distal direction to retain the suture when the suture needle isretracted from the catch needle by clamping the suture within the catchneedle.

The suture needle is designed to be sufficiently flexible that itattains a straightened configuration when housed within the transferneedle, and acquires a bend which assists in directing it toward thecatch needle when the distal end of the suture needle extends out of thetransfer needle. The transfer needle preferably comprises a redirectingcurve therein for assisting in redirecting the suture needle toward thecatch needle as it is extended from the transfer needle toward the catchneedle. A suture relief slot is disposed in the transfer needle.

A pre-tied knot is provided on the device, and movable distally alongthe device for cinching suture passed through the tissue tear by thedevice. A knot pusher is also provided, for cinching down the pre-tiedknot onto the tissue being repaired. The knot pusher comprises adilation tip on a distal end thereof for dilating a suture hole andexpediting passage of the pre-tied knot distally into the hole.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a device forrepairing a tear in a portion of tissue. The inventive device comprisesa proximal actuator portion, a first needle extending distally from theproximal actuator portion and having a distal tip for piercing tissue,and a second needle extending distally from the proximal actuatorportion and having a distal tip for piercing tissue. Further provided isa suture dispenser for attaching a length of suture between the twoneedles, and extending the length of suture through the tear toapproximate and repair the tear. A pre-tied knot is provided, andmovable distally along the device for cinching suture passed through thetissue tear by the device. A knot pusher is provided for cinching downthe pre-tied knot onto the tissue being repaired. The knot pushercomprises a dilation tip on a distal end thereof for dilating a suturehole and expediting passage of the pre-tied knot distally into the hole.

In still another aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a methodfor repairing a tear in a portion of tissue, which comprises a step ofadvancing first and second needles into the tissue, so that distal endsof each needle are disposed beyond the tear. A suture needle isextended, on which is retained a length of suture from the first needleto the second needle, through the tear. A further step comprisesretaining the suture in the second needle. The suture needle is thenretracted back into the first needle, following which the first andsecond needles are retracted from the tissue. Suture is dispensed as theneedles are retracted.

The above described retaining step more particularly comprises moving aplunger within the second needle to clamp the suture in place within alumen of the second needle. This ensures that the suture will beretained within the second needle as the suture needle is retractedtherefrom.

The inventive method further comprises a step of sliding a pre-tied knotdistally along the suture length toward the location of the tear. Thepre-tied knot is then cinched. Following the cinching step, the excesssuture extending proximally from the pre-tied knot is cut off. Thecinching step more particularly comprises a step of advancing a knotpusher distally to push the knot into a hole from which the sutureextends. The knot pusher dilates the suture hole as it is advancedthereinto.

The invention, together with additional features and advantages thereof,may best be understood by reference to the following description takenin conjunction with the accompanying illustrative drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing one embodiment of a meniscal repairdevice constructed in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the distal end of the meniscal repairdevice of FIG. 1, inside a patient's knee, as it approaches themeniscus;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 2, illustrating the meniscalrepair device after it has advanced into the meniscus;

FIG. 4 is a top view, with the meniscus sectioned, and the meniscalrepair device in the same position as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top view similar to FIG. 4, wherein the suture-loaded sutureneedle is being advanced from the transfer needle through the meniscustoward the capture needle;

FIG. 6 is a top view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5, wherein the suture-loadedsuture needle is fully advanced into the catch needle;

FIG. 7 is a top view similar to FIGS. 4-6, wherein the suture has passedfrom the transfer needle to the catch needle;

FIG. 8 is a top view similar to FIGS. 4-7, showing the device beingretracted out of the meniscus:

FIG. 9 is an isometric view showing the same step as that shown in FIG.8;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view illustrating the device retracted and apre-tied knot sliding down toward the meniscus;

FIG. 11 is an isometric view showing the pre-tied knot cinching up thesuture, which closes up the meniscal tear;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the distal end of the inventivemeniscal repair device, wherein the suture-loaded suture needle ispartially deployed and on its way to the catch needle;

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the distal end of the meniscal repairdevice, illustrating the suture-loaded suture needle fully advancedthrough the second suture catch window;

FIG. 14 is a close-up isometric view of the distal end of the inventivemeniscal repair device;

FIG. 15 is a close-up isometric view illustrating the knot pusher of thedevice cinching down the pre-tied knot onto the meniscus;

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of the knot pusher of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 17 is an isometric view of the repaired meniscus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown in FIG.1 an embodiment of a meniscal repair device 10 constructed in accordancewith the principles of the present invention. The device 10 comprises ahandle 12 which has a suture needle advancement lever 14. Distally ofthe handle 12 are provided an instrument shaft 15, packaging a transferneedle 16, a catch needle 18, and a suture housing 20.

Now with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, in addition to FIG. 1, it can beseen that the catch needle 18 has a piercing tip 22. Proximal to thepiercing tip 22 on the catch needle 18 is a second suture catch window24. The transfer needle 16 comprises a piercing tip 26, and a transferneedle window 28 proximal thereto. A suture relief slot 30 is disposedalong a length of the transfer needle 16. FIG. 2 illustrates the distalend of the inventive device 10 as it is disposed at a procedural sitewithin the knee joint of a patient, in proximity to a meniscus 32thereof, having a tear 34 to be repaired.

In FIG. 4, additional elements of the inventive device 10 areillustrated. Suture 36 extends along a suture escape slot 38 of thesuture housing 20, as shown. A first suture catch window 40 is disposedon the catch needle 18, in generally opposed relation to the secondsuture catch window 24. In FIG. 5, a suture needle 42 is illustrated,which comprises a suture needle piercing tip 44 and a suture needle hook46 (FIG. 12).

In operation, in one method of the present invention, with referenceinitially to all of FIGS. 1-17, the catch needle 18 and the transferneedle 16 are pierced into a meniscus 32 of a patient's knee, having atear 34 to be repaired, and advanced past the tear 34. The handle 12 isactuated in order to transfer suture 36 (FIG. 4) from the transferneedle 16 through the meniscus 32 and into the catch needle 18. Thecatch needle 18 has an internal mechanism that retains the suture 36.Upon releasing the suture needle advancement lever 14, which isconnected to the suture needle 42 by mechanisms that are well known inthe art for this type of advancement and retraction system, the handle12 automatically returns the suture needle 42 (FIG. 5) back to its homeposition inside the transfer needle 16, leaving the free end of thesuture 36 across the meniscus 32 and in the catch needle 18. It iswithin the scope of the invention that other configurations of theproximal handle 12 can be used that allow for a single action automaticreturn system. The device 10 is then retracted out of the meniscus 32,and the suture 36 is dispensed out of the suture housing 20, leavingbehind a stitch across the meniscal tear 34 inside the meniscus 32. Apre-tied knot 48 of suture is then slid down the device, cinching up thestitch and thus closing the meniscal tear 34, thus approximating thenormal anatomy.

Now, reviewing the inventive method in a sequential fashion, FIG. 2 isan isometric view of the distal end of the meniscal repair device 10inside a human knee, approaching the meniscus 32. The transfer needle 16and the catch needle 18 are positioned to pierce the meniscus 32 andcross the meniscal tear 34. The transfer needle 16 and the catch needle18 are of a relatively small diameter, allowing them to maneuverarthroscopically inside the tight space of the knee. The transfer needlepiercing tip 26 and the catch needle piercing tip 22 are preferablysharpened with a triple bevel geometry commonly used in hypodermicneedles. It is conceivable that other standard needle points could beused in the inventive device 10 as well.

The suture-loaded suture needle 42 is housed inside the transfer needle16 and is not visible in FIG. 2. Once the device 10 is pierced into themeniscus 32, and advanced past the tear 34, the suture needle 42projects out of the transfer needle 16, through the meniscus 32, andinto the catch needle 18.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the distal end of the meniscal repairdevice 10, after it has pierced and advanced into the meniscus 32. Thecatch needle 18 and the transfer needle 16 have been advanced well pastthe meniscal tear 34. This is essentially the first step of theinventive meniscal repair procedure, which includes locating themeniscal tear 34, piercing the meniscus 32, and advancing the device 10past the tear 34.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the inventive device 10 in the procedural site,with the meniscus 32 sectioned, and the meniscal repair device 10 in thesame position as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, as discussed above, the distalend of the device 10 has entered the meniscus 32 and advanced past themeniscal tear 34. The meniscal repair device 10 may, if desired, beadvanced even further to a point beyond the meniscus 32 altogether, andinto the knee capsule itself. Also shown in FIG. 4 are the transferneedle window 28, the first suture catch window 40, and the secondsuture catch window 24. These windows 24, 28, and 40 enable the suture-loaded suture needle 42 to travel from the transfer needle 16 throughthe meniscus 32 and into the catch needle 18, as will be describedbelow. The suture- loaded suture needle 42 is not visible in FIG. 4,because it is housed inside the transfer needle 16 and has not yet beenadvanced. The first suture catch window 40 has a leading edge 49 a and atrailing edge 49 b, while the second suture catch window 24 has aleading edge 49 c and a trailing edge 49 d, as shown in FIG. 4. As isseen clearly from the figure, the leading edge 49 c of the second suturecatch window 24 is disposed substantially distal to the leading edge 49a of the first suture catch window 40. Similarly, the trailing edge 49 dof the second suture catch window 24 is disposed substantially distal tothe trailing edge 49 b of the first suture catch window 40. In fact, thetrailing edge 49 b of the first suture catch window 40 is approximatelyaxially even with the leading edge 49 c of the second suture catchwindow 24, so that substantially all of the second suture catch windowis distal to substantially all of the first suture catch window. Thisarrangement is advantageous because of an improved siting of the sutureneedle as a result, with substantially less strain on the suture needleand substantially improved retention of the suture in the catch needleby the plunger.

FIG. 5 is a top view, similar to FIG. 4, with the meniscus sectioned,which illustrates a method step sequential to that shown in FIG. 4. InFIG. 5, in accordance with the next sequential step in the inventivemethod, the suture-loaded suture needle 42 is being advanced from thetransfer needle 16 through the meniscus 32 and toward the catch needle18. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the distal end of the device10, illustrating the same method step as FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 12,the suture 36 is hooked onto the suture needle 42, so that the sutureneedle 42 is “suture-loaded”, and is feeding out of the suture housing20. A catch plunger 50 is in an undeployed state, at this juncture,housed within the catch needle 18. When the suture-loaded suture needle42 is fully advanced through the second suture catch window 24, then thespring loaded catch plunger 50 is deployed and collides with thesuture-loaded suture needle 42. The hook 46 is configured into thesuture needle 42 at its distal end so that it can maintain a purchase ofthe suture 36 during the transferring process. The suture needle 42 alsohas a needle point or piercing tip 44 configured to give it the abilityto pierce through the meniscus 32. The suture needle 42 is sufficientlyflexible so that it can be housed in a straightened configuration insidethe transfer needle 16 prior to actuation and then take the necessarybend during deployment. The suture-loaded suture needle 42 is shown intransition as it is actuated toward the catch needle 18. The hard stopfor this mechanism, or final destination for the suture-loaded sutureneedle 42, is inside the catch needle 18 and through the second suturecatch window 24. FIG. 14 is a close-up isometric view of the distal endof the device 10, also illustrating the step wherein the suture-loadedsuture needle 42 is partially deployed and on its way to the catchneedle 18. It is important to note that the suture needle hook 46 isconfigured in a way to retain the suture 36 during advancement of thesuture needle 42 and to allow for easy suture release during retractionof the suture needle 42.

FIG. 6 is a top view similar to FIG. 5, with the meniscus sectioned, andshowing the suture-loaded suture needle 42 after it has fully advancedinto the catch needle 18. This maneuver transfers the suture 36 from thetransfer needle 16 to the catch needle 18 through the meniscus 32 pastthe meniscal tear 34. During this maneuver, the suture 36 dispensesfreely from the suture housing 20. At this point, the catch plunger 50(FIG. 12) is advanced, under a spring load, so that it impacts thesuture 36 and the suture needle 42. The catch plunger 50 is not visiblein FIG. 5 because it is housed inside the catch needle 18. This isimportant to note because it is the engagement of these components thatallows the catch needle 18 to capture the suture 36. FIG. 13 is anisometric view of the distal end of the device, illustrating the samestep as that shown in FIG. 6. As illustrated, the transfer needle 16includes a redirecting curve 52, which is a feature that contributes tothe flexing of the suture needle 42 into the catch needle 18. The sutureneedle 42 can be made of a spring tempered stainless steel or a shapememory type of alloy such as nitinol. It can be manufactured withprocesses that pre-shape it, thereby allowing it to be advanced out ofthe transfer needle 16 and into the catch needle 18.

Following the capture step, illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 13, the next stepof the inventive process is to retract the suture needle 42 from thecatch needle 18 and back into the transfer needle 16, leaving behind thesuture 36 in the catch needle 18. FIG. 7 is a top view similar to FIG.6, with the meniscus sectioned, showing this next step, the suture 36having already been passed from the transfer needle 16 to the catchneedle 18. The suture needle 42 has already been retracted back into thetransfer needle 16, leaving behind the suture 36. Two things prevent thesuture 36 from retracting back with the suture needle 42. These twothings are the spring loaded catch plunger 50 and the design of thesuture needle hook 46. The spring loaded catch plunger 50 acts to wedgethe suture 36 between it and an inner lumen of the catch needle 18. Atight fit between the tip of the catch plunger 50 and the inner lumen ofthe catch needle 18, along with the proximal spring force, cause thesuture 36 to be retained while the suture needle 42 is retracted. Alongwith that catch mechanism, the suture needle hook 46 is configured in away to release the suture 36 during retraction. The hook 46 isessentially an open slot that has no feature to drag or retain thesuture 36 during retraction of the suture needle 42.

The next step in the inventive procedure is to retract the device 10 outof the meniscus 32, thereby dispensing out suture 36. FIG. 8 is a topview, similar to FIG. 7, with the meniscus 32 sectioned, showing thedevice being retracted proximally from the meniscus 32. The suture 36 isfixed to the catch needle 18, and during device retraction, it pulls thesuture 36 through the newly created path past the meniscal tear 34. Thesuture housing 20 dispenses the suture out, allowing it to pass throughthe meniscal tear 34. The suture relief slot 30, configured into thetransfer needle 16, allows the suture 36 to fully release from thetransfer needle 16 and to properly dispense out of the suture housing20.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view illustrating the same step as is shown inFIG. 8. As shown, the device 10 is being retracted proximally from themeniscus 32, leaving behind suture 36 past the meniscal tear 34. At thisjuncture, the suture 36 has completely released from the transfer needle16 via the suture relief slot 30, and is dispensing out of the suturehousing 20. Not visible is the catch plunger 50 inside the catch needle18, which is retaining the suture 36. Once the suture housing 20dispenses out the majority of the suture 36, the pre-tied knot 48 beginsto slide down the device 10 toward the meniscus 32.

FIG. 10 shows an isometric view of the device 10, retracted from themeniscus 32, and with the pre-tied knot 48 sliding down the suture legs36 toward the meniscus 32. As the device is retracted and the suture 36dispenses out of the suture housing 20, the pre-tied knot 48simultaneously begins sliding down the instrument shaft 15 (FIG. 1),then onto the suture legs 36 toward the meniscus 32. This is a standardsliding knot commonly used in arthroscopic surgery.

FIG. 11 is an isometric view, illustrating the pre-tied knot 48 cinchingup the suture 36, and thus closing up the meniscal tear 34. The device10 has been retracted out of the knee at this point, the pre-tied knot48 has been slid down into place cinching up the suture 36, and the freeends of the suture legs 36, shown in FIG. 10, have been cut by thepractitioner. The meniscal tear 34 that was torn and loose is now moreclosely matching normal anatomy and is reinforced with suture 36.

FIG. 15 is a close-up isometric view of a knot pusher 54, which isprovided for the purpose of cinching down the pre-tied knot 48 on to themeniscus 32. A novel feature of the knot pusher 54 is a dilation tip 56.As illustrated, the dilation tip 56 has a ground triple bevel but anytype of sharp point could be utilized to serve the same purpose. Thepre-tied knot 48 seats into a knot cavity 58 (FIG. 16) which positionsthe dilation tip 56 distal to it. That allows the dilation tip 56 tocome into contact with the meniscus 32 first. To cinch the pre-tied knot48 down onto the meniscus 32, the leg of the suture 36 that was capturedin the catch needle 18 is retracted, and the knot pusher 54 is advanced.As the dilation tip 56 is advanced toward the meniscus 32, the pointedtip 56 is positioned into the hole that the suture leg is coming out of.Further advancement of the knot pusher 54 allows for dilation of thatsuture hole with simultaneous advancement of the pre-tied knot 48 intothe hole. The knot pusher 54 continues to be advanced, further dilatingthe suture hole and further advances the pre-tied knot 48 into themeniscus 32 until it is well into the meniscus 32. The knot pusher 54 isthen retracted and released from the suture 36 via a knot pusher sutureescape slot 60, resulting in the pre-tied knot 48 being cinched wellinto the meniscus 32 with little or no visibility to it. The benefit ofthis type of result versus the pre-tied knot 48 being exposed on top ofthe meniscus 32, or exterior to it, is that there will be little to noabrasion of the knot 48 with the articular cartilage of the femoralcondyles. The knot 48 will have a layer of meniscus 32 between it andthe articular cartilage.

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of the knot pusher 54. The geometry of theknot pusher 54, in particular, is unique relative to other minimallyinvasive surgical knot pushers because of the dilation tip 56. Once theknot 48 is ready to be cinched, this knot pusher 54 is threaded onto thesuture 36 with standard methods, through the suture escape slot 38. Theappropriate leg of the suture 36 is retracted, and the knot pusher 54 isadvanced, sending the knot 48 toward the meniscus 32. The novel dilationtip 56 which allows for the advancement of the knot 48 into the meniscus32. It is within the scope of the present invention that the knot pusher54 may be a telescope sliding type of component that resides on thedevice shaft proximal to the pre-tied knot 48. During knot advancement,the knot pusher 54 may be detached from the device, allowing for knotpushing. It is also possible that the knot pusher 54 may be a reusabletype of device made of appropriate material for autoclaving. It can alsobe disposable, made of a thermoplastic, and kitted with the device 10 asa separate component.

FIG. 17 shows an isometric view of the end result of the inventivemeniscal repair procedure, using the above described knot pusher 54. Theknot pusher 54 has functioned to dilate the suture hole and has advancedthe knot 48 into the meniscus such that it has little to no visibility.The suture ends have been cut and the knot 48 is situated so that it cancause little to no abrasion of articular cartilage. The meniscal tear 34has been stitched shut, approximating normal anatomy with suturereinforcement.

Of course, while the foregoing invention has been disclosed inconnection with the repair of meniscal tissue, it will be recognizedthat the inventive principles are applicable to many other instanceswherein it is desired to repair a tear in a portion of soft tissue.

Accordingly, although an exemplary embodiment and method according tothe invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood thatall the terms used herein are descriptive rather than limiting, and thatmany changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made by one havingordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention, which is to be limited only in accordance with thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for repairing a tear in a portion oftissue, comprising: a proximal actuator portion; a transfer needleextending distally from the proximal actuator portion and having adistal tip for piercing tissue; a catch needle extending distally fromthe proximal actuator portion and having a distal tip for piercingtissue; a suture needle disposed in said transfer needle, said sutureneedle being extendable from said transfer needle toward said catchneedle and retractable from said catch needle toward said transferneedle, upon actuation by said proximal actuator portion; a hook on saidsuture needle for retaining a length of suture; a retainer in said catchneedle for retaining suture in said catch needle when the suture needleis withdrawn from the catch needle back toward the transfer needle,wherein said retainer comprises a plunger, permanently disposed in saidcatch needle, said plunger being biased by a spring to extend in adistal direction to retain the suture when said suture needle isretracted from the catch needle by clamping the suture within the catchneedle, the suture being retained by impact of said catch plungeragainst said suture needle and the suture because of the bias imposed bythe spring; a first window disposed laterally on said catch needle,through which said suture needle is extended or retracted, the firstwindow having a leading edge; and a second window disposed on said catchneedle on a side opposed to the side on which the first window isdisposed, through which a distal end of the suture needle extends whenthe suture needle is fully extended into the catch needle, the secondwindow having a leading edge which is disposed substantially distal tothe leading edge of the first window.
 2. The device as recited in claim1, wherein said proximal actuator portion comprises a handle having asuture needle advancement lever disposed thereon, said suture needlebeing advanced or retracted upon actuation or release of said lever. 3.The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said transfer needle comprisesa window disposed laterally thereon, through which said suture needle isextended or retracted.
 4. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein saidhook is configured so that when the suture needle is retracted in adirection from the catch needle back into the transfer needle, thesuture retained thereon is released.
 5. The device as recited in claim1, wherein the suture needle is sufficiently flexible that it attains astraightened configuration when housed within the transfer needle, andacquires a bend which assists in directing it toward the catch needlewhen the distal end of the suture needle extends out of the transferneedle.
 6. The device as recited in claim 5, wherein said transferneedle comprises a redirecting curve therein for assisting inredirecting the suture needle toward the catch needle as it is extendedfrom the transfer needle toward the catch needle.
 7. The device asrecited in claim 1, and further comprising a suture relief slot disposedin said transfer needle.
 8. The device as recited in claim 1, andfurther comprising: a pre-tied knot movable distally along the devicefor cinching suture passed through the tissue tear by the device; and aknot pusher for cinching down the pre-tied knot onto the tissue beingrepaired, said knot pusher comprising a dilation tip on a distal endthereof for dilating a suture hole and expediting passage of thepre-tied knot distally into said hole.
 9. The device as recited in claim1, wherein said first and second windows each further comprise atrailing edge, the trailing edge of the second window beingsubstantially distal to the trailing edge of the first window.
 10. Thedevice as recited in claim 9, wherein the trailing edge of the firstwindow is approximately axially even with the leading edge of the secondwindow, so that substantially all of the second window is distal tosubstantially all of the first window.
 11. A device for repairing a tearin a portion of tissue, comprising: a proximal actuator portion; atransfer needle extending distally from the proximal actuator portionand having a distal tip for piercing tissue; a catch needle extendingdistally from the proximal actuator portion and having a distal tip forpiercing tissue; a suture needle disposed in said transfer needle, saidsuture needle being extendable from said transfer needle toward saidcatch needle and retractable from said catch needle toward said transferneedle, upon actuation by said proximal actuator portion; a first windowdisposed laterally on said catch needle, through which said sutureneedle is extended or retracted, the first window having a leading edge,a second window disposed on said catch needle on a side opposed to theside on which the first window is disposed, the second window having aleading edge which is disposed substantially distal to the leading edgeof the first window; and a retainer in said catch needle for retainingsuture in said catch needle when the suture needle is withdrawn from thecatch needle back toward the transfer needle, wherein said retainercomprises a plunger, permanently disposed in said catch needle, saidplunger being biased by a spring to extend in a distal direction toretain the suture when said suture needle is retracted from the catchneedle by clamping the suture within the catch needle, the suture beingretained by impact of said catch plunger against said suture needle andthe suture because of the bias imposed by the spring.
 12. The device asrecited in claim 11, wherein the suture needle is sufficiently flexiblethat it attains a straightened configuration when housed within thetransfer needle, and acquires a bend which assists in directing ittoward the catch needle when the distal end of the suture needle extendsout of the transfer needle, the transfer needle comprising a redirectingcurve therein for assisting in redirecting the suture needle toward thecatch needle as it is extended from the transfer needle toward the catchneedle.
 13. The device as recited in claim 11, and further comprising: apre-tied knot movable distally along the device for cinching suturepassed through the tissue tear by the device; and a knot pusher forcinching down the pre-tied knot onto the tissue being repaired, saidknot pusher comprising a dilation tip on a distal end thereof fordilating a suture hole and expediting passage of the pre-tied knotdistally into said hole.
 14. The device as recited in claim 11, whereinsaid first and second windows each further comprise a trailing edge, thetrailing edge of the second window being substantially distal to thetrailing edge of the first window.
 15. The device as recited in claim14, wherein the trailing edge of the first window is approximatelyaxially even with the leading edge of the second window, so thatsubstantially all of the second window is distal to substantially all ofthe first window.